25% garbage fee hike could hit Berkeley residents

Berkeley began using single-operator garbage trucks as a cost-saving measure late last year. Photo: City of Berkeley

BERKELEYSIDE: Berkeley residents could see a 25% jump in their garbage pick-up fees next year as the city struggles to bridge the gap between the cost of pick-up services and the income they generate.

In a special session Tuesday night, city staff explained to the Berkeley City Council that the Refuse Fund, used to cover pick-up fees, is slated to run at an annual $2-3 million deficit over the next five years, leading the city to consider boosting pick-up fees.

As a result, residents using the most common size of trash container, which holds 32 gallons, would go from paying about $30 monthly to about $37. And those costs would continue to rise annually by 3% beginning in fiscal year 2016 as part of the city’s efforts to adopt a “sustainable rate structure” and keep pace with rising costs.

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